Unified Development Ordinance, 25th Supplement, December 2022

CHAPTER 1. ​INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS | Article 1.5. Measurement, Exceptions & General Rules of Applicability

Sec. 1.5.8. Pedestrian Access A. Intent

Sec. 1.5.9. Transparency A. Intent

The transparency requirements are intended to lend visual interest to street facing building facades for both pedestrians and building occupants and minimize blank wall areas. This is not applicable to residential uses. B. General Requirements 1. The minimum percentage of windows and doors that must cover a ground story facade is measured between 0 and 12 feet above the surface of the finished ground floor for all above-grade portions of the facade. A minimum of 50% of the required transparency must be located between 3 and 8 feet from the surface of the finished ground floor. 2. The minimum percentage of windows and doors that must cover an upper story facade is measured from top of the finished floor to the top of the finished floor above. When there is no floor above, upper story transparency is measured from the top of the finished floor to the top of the wall plate. 3. In a mixed use building, or general building where an Urban Frontage is applied, a minimum of 60% of the street-facing, street-level window pane surface area must allow views into the ground story use for a depth of at least 8 feet. Windows shall not be made opaque by non-operable window treatments (except curtains, blinds or shades within the conditioned space). 4. Glass shall be considered transparent where it has a transparency higher than 80% and external reflectance of less than 15%. Glass on upper stories may have any level of transparency and external reflectance.

1. The street-facing entrance regulations are intended to concentrate pedestrian activity along the street edge and provide an easily identifiable and conveniently-located entrance for residents, visitors and patrons accessing a building as pedestrians from the street. 2. Access points should be located or identified in a manner visible to the pedestrian from the street and be accessible via a direct path. B. General Requirements 1. An entrance installed after September 1, 2013 providing both ingress and egress, operable to residents or customers at all times, is required to meet the street facing entrance requirements. Additional entrances from another street, pedestrian area or internal parking area are permitted. 2. At least one entrance per non-residential ground floor unit is required on each public street facing façade in all urban frontages. 3. An angled entrance may be provided at the corner of a building along the street to meet the street-facing entrance requirements. C. Design Alternate Findings 1. The Planning Commission or Appearance Commission performing the quasi-judicial duties of the Planning Commission (as designated by the City Council), after conducting a duly noticed quasi-judicial evidentiary hearing in accordance with Sec. 10.2.17., shall allow a non-street-facing entrance, if all of the following findings are satisfied: 2. The approved alternate is consistent with the intent of the street-facing entrance regulations; 3. The pedestrian access point is easily identifiable by pedestrians, customers and visitors; 4. Recessed or projecting entries or building elements have been incorporated into the design of the building to enhance visibility of the street-facing entrance; and 5. The pedestrian route from the street and bus stops and other modes of public transportation to the entrance is safe, convenient and direct.

Wall Plate

Finished Floor

Upper Story

Transparency

Finished Floor

12’

Transparency

Ground Story

1 – 24 Pub l i s hed De c embe r 2022

Pa r t 10 : Un i f i ed Deve l opmen t Or d i nanc e C i t y o f Ra l e i gh , No r t h Ca r o l i na

Supp. No. 25